FAQ Frequently Asked Questions

WHY MEMBERSHIP?

Why should any one become a formal member of a church? Is it not enough to attend regularly and support the events and services of the Church? Isn't it a bit legalistic to insist on a person becoming an actual member? Are there any positive reasons for joining the church?

Because we believe that membership in any church is vital to the healthy spiritual development of both the church and the individual we will try to answer these questions as clearly as possible in this file.

FIRSTLY WE WANT YOU TO JOIN WITH US!

We love you and we are convinced that if you want to grow in the Lord, to receive fellowship, teaching and the blessing of all that God can give you, that you could not find a better or more loving place to come. We will commit ourselves to the joyous task of meeting your spiritual needs using the gifts God has given us. We also need your fellowship and ministry since the Holy Spirit gives every individual gifts with which to minister to others in the body (1Cor.12)

EVERY BELIEVER, YOUNG OR OLD IN THE FAITH, SHOULD BE COMMITED

The Bible teaches 1John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his] brother abideth in death.

1John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren.

It is a mark of our salvation, an evidence that we are born again, that we will be so committed to our brothers and sisters in Christ that we would even lay down our lives for them. Commitment to the local church body demonstrates, as a first commitment, that we are willing to be counted among them and serve one another in the fellowship of believers.

Some older Christians who have been hurt along the way by those who are not walking in obedience to the Lord will say that they can do this without actually joining membership. However this is really a defence against the possibility of being hurt again. Jesus' teaching in this regard is simple John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. Note from Zechariah 13:6 that the direction from which that persecution came was predicted years before And [one] shall say unto him, What [are] these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, [Those] with which I was wounded [in] the house of my friends.

We cannot be committed on the basis that we will only do this if we do not get hurt. It is inevitable that sooner or later we will be hurt, even by our friends. At least if we are members of this church we will have a sympathetic place of appeal, since we believe in People of the Way that loving discipline is for the health and wellbeing of the whole body. Correction for the wrongdoer and protection for the one wronged.

It is impossible to love one another without being, to some degree, vulnerable. And the Bible teaches (1John 3:14) that it is impossible to be a believer without loving the brethren.

ISN'T IT A BIT LEGALISTIC TO HAVE FORMAL MEMBERSHIP?

Some tend to think this way, often because they want to avoid responsibility. However Jesus did not think this way he formally ordained twelve apostles who were His special group. And the Apostles also continued in this tradition by appointing one to take the place of Judas (Acts 1:26) Paul thought it important since he specifically instructed that a gross sinner be excommunicated (1Cor. 5:1-13) and then later that after this person had repented that he should formally be received back into fellowship (2Cor.2:3-11). Formal membership does bring with it both responsibility and accountability disciplines which are good, godly and scriptural. (2Corinthians 5:10) We do not judge people in respect of their eternal rewards. However it is quite right to expect those who are committed to ministry (i.e. the whole membership Eph.4:12) to be accountable for their actions within the local fellowship. (Hebrews 13:17)

ARE THERE ANY POSITIVE REASONS FOR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP?

Yes! We will list some here. Firstly it is a way of declaring that you care for the people in the fellowship. They will also respond to you as you are formally received into membership and demonstrate this with acceptance and Christian love. Membership officially confirms what we have been informally demonstrating to one another up to this point.

Membership will open the way for you to minister through your special gifts in the Holy Spirit within the functions of the fellowship as it is a requirement that only members be elected to the offices of the church or have regular ministry.

Then membership openly receives the covering of pastoral care. If you have a need to be visited in hospital or at home or in some time of crisis, those who minister in this area, pastors elders, those who have gifts of healing, helps et cetera are recognised by the various worldly authorities as your close friends. This will give us access to minister to you in times of real need.

Membership also allows you to have an input to the planning and administration of the local work. Adherents, because they are not responsible nor accountable, have no real right to influence what happens in the plans and activities of the fellowship. However we would benefit by input in your area of expertise.

WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT IT?

Come and see. It is easy for a committed Christian to become an active member of People of the Way. If you have never received Jesus as your Saviour and Lord we can easily lead you to that place of commitment. Don't hesitate to ask for help on our Find Jesus Page.

WHERE DO YOU MEET?

For about five years now we have been meeting at the Waterford State Primary School Waterford State Primary School, Nerang and Jordan Sts. Waterford. Worship & Teaching Service 9.00am  Visitors welcome